Fleming House a success already, says one resident

Fleming House a success already, says one resident
EDITOR:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many community residents who in numerous ways have contributed to the success of Fleming House, which was recently dedicated in Lisbon.
For the past four years, this project has been in the development stage and now it is a reality. For the staff and board of trustees of the Family Recovery Center, we send all of you a sincere "thank you" for your kind donations of beautiful new goods as well as many dollars to help us get our venture underway.
Today, a number of women and children are residing in the house. I would like to use the direct words of one of our residents as we all say "thank you."
"I would like to speak on behalf of myself and the other residents here at Fleming House. I would like to express what a huge blessing this house is for everyone of us and our families.
"As one of our residents has said, 'We should kiss the ground, every time, we walk into this house.' "
"We all watched as this house was being built, listened as our case workers excitedly talked about this house, and prayed it would be us getting a new start in this facility.
"When this house was finally built, and the applications were made available, it gave us all a glimmer of hope. The process of interviewing began and although we were nervous, we showed how serious we were about our recovery and how we were all willing to go to any length, for a chance at a new life.
"How excited we all were to find out that it was our application that was approved, and how thankful we were when the finishing touches were done, and we could move in.
"I personally could never have imagined how beautiful this house is, not only in appearance but in the miracles I have watched take place every day.
"In the very short time that we have been here, we have not only lived together, we have laughed together, cried together, drove the staff crazy together, agreed to disagree with each other, and most of all, have learned to love each other.
"We have become a family. To us, this is not just the Big Yellow House. This is our home. We could never express the gratitude we have for everyone who has been involved in the planning and hard work it took to make our dreams come true.
"We can only show you by successfully working towards becoming self-sufficient women.
"Thank you all so much for giving us the opportunity of a life time.
"May God bless you."
ELOISE TRAINA
Lisbon
X The writer is director of the Family Recovery Center in Lisbon.
Thanks to firefighters, family still has a home
EDITOR:
Last Tuesday morning about 1:40 a.m. the house next door to us was set on fire. We want to commend the Youngstown Fire Department for being so quick to arrive at our house. If it hadn't have been for the quick response, our home wouldn't be here now.
We did have some damage to one side of our house because we live so close to the house that was totally destroyed. If it had been another day than this one, our neighborhood fire station would have been closed, and our home would not be here today. We all got out safely, and thanks to the brave firefighters, we still have a home to live in.
If there ever was any doubt that we need to vote "yes" in November, there certainly isn't now. We appreciate our firefighters so much. They are doing a superb job in our community. Let's tell them how much we appreciate them all by voting for our fire and police services. If it weren't for them we wouldn't be in our home today.
Thank you to all those brave firefighters, and may God bless you all.
JOHN and MARY McPHERON
Youngstown